Rail-clamp.



c. 1. W1LLIAMS,1.

RAIL CLAMP.

APPLICATION man 1,111.5. 191e.

11mm July 11, 1916.

\\\\\\\\\\1H'lllllll/ im] CHARLES J'. WILLIAMS, JR., 0F JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, ASSIGNOR TO L. MOORE DRY KILN CO., OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, A CORPORATION OF FLORIDA.

RAIL-CLAMP.

LlOOg.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July Il, 49ML Application filed January 5, 1916. Serial No. 70,449.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. WILLniMs, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duval and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Clamps, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to an'improvement in rail-clamps, and the object is to provide a simple form of rail-clamp for track construction for drylilns, and it consists of two members which embrace the upper end of the column from opposite sides, substantially encircling the latter, and also the base and web of a rail from opposite sides, presenting to the base of the rail a perfectly horizontal surface, or one at right-angles to the column, and the outer edges of the portion of the clamp-members which embrace the edges of the base reinforced at one or more points to afford additional strength at a point which would otherwise be weak, and where strain is apt to come.

' In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a side elevation; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through the center; Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the reinforces taken at one side of the center; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the bend of the clamp which embraces the rail-base, showing two reinforces; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section showing one of the clamping-members; and Fig. 6 is a similar view of a modified form.

A, represents the upper portion of a column; and 1 and 2 are the two sections of the clamp; while 3 is the rail held on the upper end of the column by the clamp sections. lIhese embrace the column, rail-base, and web of the rail from opposite sides, and are held securely in position by the bolts 4, 4, and 4, 4, respectively, in this way presenting a column which will have all the functions of a fish-plate for fastening two ends of a rail which happen to come together over a column, if need be, as well as an ordinary clamping means.

Reinforces 6, 6, are formed at the outer l edge of the jaws7, 7, or that portion of the clampingsections which embraces and holds the base flanges of the rail, so that the required amount of strength will be provided at a point which might otherwise fail to meet the requirements as to strength.

Although the rails in a dry kiln construction slope from end to end, I find it preferable to construct the clamp with a perfectly horizontal seat for the rail, as the distance between columns is always suiiiciently great to rely upon the iiexibility and bending of the rail to provide the necessary fall or slope; and in this way all of these clampsections are cast just alike and can be secured to, the columns with either end forward without reference to direction.

The brace-rods 8 extend diagonally from certain of the clamps, preferably those connecting rail ends to the bases of the next higher columns, the bolts passing through the rails and the braces thus cooperating to counteract any tendency of the rails to crawl down-grade.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a modified form of one of the clamping members, wherein a semi-annular groove 9 is provided at the inner end of the opening which receives the column A, which is adapted to greatly strengthen the posting.

A clamp of this construction is light, easily cast, and applied with equal facility, and. it does not require the care in placing on the column that a clamp of the sloping rail seat does. Also while made relatively light, at the same time it is reinforced where strength is required.

I claim:

The combination with a column and a rail, of a clamp made of two similar members made to embrace opposite sides of the column and the rail web and base, the portion opposite the rail base reinforced at intervals to give strength and the portions above and in the angle below having holes to receive bolts for fastening the members together and to the rail and column, the clamps having a horizontal seat for the rails between the column and the base of the rail.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

CHARLES .I WILLIAMS, Jn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

